Tensioned Membrane Structures

A tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof, as they can economically and attractively span large distances. Common materials for doubly curved fabric structures are PTFE-coated fiberglass and PVC-coated polyester. These are woven materials with different strengths in different directions. The warp fibers (those fibers which are originally straight—equivalent to the starting fibers… More

A tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof, as they can economically and attractively span large distances. Common materials for doubly curved fabric structures are PTFE-coated fiberglass and PVC-coated polyester. These are woven materials with different strengths in different directions. The warp fibers (those fibers which are originally straight—equivalent to the starting fibers on a loom) can carry greater load than the weft or fill fibers, which are woven between the warp fibers. Other structures make use of ETFE film, either as single layer or in cushion form (which can be inflated, to provide good insulation properties or for aesthetic effect. ETFE cushions can also be etched with patterns in order to let different levels of light through when inflated to different levels. They are most often supported by a structural frame as they cannot derive their strength from double curvature. Less